• New and returning series lead a busy early-2026 TV slate, from Star Trek’s Starfleet Academy to a Scrubs revival.
• High-profile castings — Holly Hunter, Patrick Dempsey, Elisabeth Moss, Kerry Washington and Michelle Pfeiffer — anchor multiple premieres.
• Streaming platforms (Paramount+, Apple TV+, Netflix) and broadcast networks (ABC, Fox) all debut major titles in January–March.
What to expect in early 2026
Networks and streamers open the year with a mix of franchise extensions, revivals and high-profile new dramas. Below are the key series to know, with premiere dates, platforms and what makes each one notable.
Star Trek: Starfleet Academy — Jan. 15 (Paramount+)
Holly Hunter leads this 32nd-century Star Trek entry as the academy chancellor and USS Athena captain. The series returns familiar faces — Tig Notaro’s Jett Reno from Discovery and Robert Picardo’s holographic doctor from Voyager — while introducing a new cadet class and younger actors. Stephen Colbert provides voice work as the Digital Dean of Students and Paul Giamatti appears as a prosthetic-enhanced villain. Expect Starfleet training, coming-of-age drama and the franchise’s signature progressive tone.
Memory of a Killer — Jan. 25 (Fox)
Patrick Dempsey stars as Angelo Ledda, a hit man in New York confronting early Alzheimer’s in this adaptation of the Belgian film De Zaak Alzheimer. The procedural-thriller tone mixes intense action with personal stakes as Ledda’s memory loss complicates both his work and family life. Michael Imperioli and Gina Torres co-star. Fox premieres the series with a two-night launch following the NFC Championship game.
Scrubs revival — Feb. 25 (ABC)
ABC brings back the beloved medical sitcom with Zach Braff, Sarah Chalke and Donald Faison reprising lead roles. John C. McGinley and Judy Reyes will guest, and new cast members include Vanessa Bayer and Joel Kim Booster. The revival aims to blend familiar Sacred Heart humor and J.D.’s trademark daydreams with fresh character dynamics.
Monarch: Legacy of Monsters Season 2 — Feb. 27 (Apple TV)
The Monsterverse series resumes the Randa family saga, following Cate Randa (Anna Sawai) as she searches for her missing father. Season 2 promises more human drama and kaiju action; Kong’s presence has been teased. Expect the series to balance family conflict with large-scale monster sequences.
Imperfect Women — March 18 (Apple TV)
Elisabeth Moss, Kerry Washington and Kate Mara star in this mystery adapted from Araminta Hall’s novel. The series follows three lifelong friends whose lives unravel after a murder. Moss and Washington also serve as executive producers on the project.
Beef Season 2 — 2026 (Netflix)
Lee Sung Jin returns with another anthology installment centered on class, resentment and chaotic human behavior. Season 2 follows intersecting couples around a Southern California country club, featuring Cailee Spaeny, Charles Melton, Oscar Isaac and Carey Mulligan among others. Expect the show’s trademark dark comedy and curated needle drops.
These launches underscore a crowded, varied TV season — from franchise expansions to intimate thrillers — giving viewers plenty of appointment television and streaming choices in early 2026.
Image Referance: https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2026-01-02/tv-shows-to-watch-2026
